NGO reiterates importance of community legal clinics

The Executive Director, Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), Mrs Bose Ironsi has described community legal clinics as the backbone of providing legal services to underprivileged and marginalised people in communities. Ironsi made this know at a programme organised by WRAPH in partnership with Canada Fund for Local Initiative to sensitise communities in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA)in Lagos.

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She said: “Community Legal clinics are the backbone of legal aid services that  provide aid to underprivileged and the  marginalised in communities  for easy access to justice. Most especially girls and women who are survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. This programme provides an opportunity for community members to assess pro bono lawyers that provide services in legal representation, advice and counselling on the legal frame of SGBV Human Rights, Child Rights Law and disability law. This training, funded by the Canada Fund For Local Initiative, is part of our efforts to ensure that survivors are well informed on their rights on legal issues” .

According to her, the programme will hold in all the six LCDA under Alimosho Local Government area.

“We are well aware that issues of SGBV cases are still rampant in communities in Lagos State, and it is our responsibility to ensure we follow up on our efforts to address the menace. Community legal clinics for SGBV survivors will play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the legal system and access justice,” he said.

The Executive Director urged the media to support the government and the organisation in their fight to break the culture of silence in communities.

The resource person at the programme, Bridget Andrew Machief, said the community has a vital role to play in the fight against SGBV.

“Most cases of SGBV happen in the communities without being reported to the appropriate quarter. We have to speak up when things like this happen around us instead of covering such,” she said.

NAN/Wumi